Milner Finishes NYC Marathon in 3:09
The former soccer star completed the 2026 New York City Marathon weeks after announcing his retirement from professional soccer.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Soccer
James Milner completed the 2026 New York City Marathon in 3:09.04 on Sunday, November 1. The result came after the 40-year-old announced his retirement at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Why it matters
Milner's marathon finish marks a notable transition from a long professional soccer career into endurance running. It offers a public example of a former elite athlete pursuing a new competitive challenge in New York City.
Milner's first-half split was 1:31, while his final 13 miles took 1:38, for an overall average of 7:13 per mile. The extraction does not specify his placement relative to other finishers or whether the split gap reflects pacing strategy.
The players
James Milner
Former English professional footballer who played for Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton over a 24-year career.
The details
Milner completed the marathon on the New York City Marathon course, finishing in 3:09.04. His final 13 miles were slower than the first half of the race, with split times of 1:38 and 1:31 respectively.
Timeline
End of 2025-26 season: Milner announced his retirement from professional soccer.
January 2026: Milner turned 40.
Sunday, November 1, 2026: Milner completed the New York City Marathon.
Season Trajectory
Milner's retirement closes a 24-year playing career spanning six clubs in England's top flight. His marathon finish in New York City shows him moving directly from the end of his soccer career into a new long-distance pursuit.
Milner's retirement at the end of the 2025-26 season ends a 24-year playing career with six clubs. Readers following his career can now track his endurance running rather than league appearances.
The takeaway
Milner's shift from professional soccer to a 3:09 marathon shows that elite competitive habits can carry into a completely different endurance sport. Athletes approaching retirement can pursue new challenges without leaving the competitive mindset behind.
Further reading
Explore more Soccer coverage to see how Milner's career and retirement fit into the wider game.
